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West Michigan Cashing in on Morel Hunt

Posted at 8:00 PM, May 15, 2014
and last updated 2014-05-15 22:57:37-04

KENT COUNTY, Mich. (May 15, 2014) — It’s a time that mushroom enthusiats wait all year for. This week kicked off the hunt for morels across the state.

Experts said that the fungus is selling for about $65 per pound.

Cindy Perski from the Howard Christensen Nature Center in Kent City said that she’s been hunting morel mushrooms in Michigan since she was five years old.

“A really good mushroom hunter doesn’t tell you where they find them okay,  but we are going to be kind today. So, we find them at the Howard Christensen Nature Center. We are finding them in the northern part of it,” said Perski.

The mushroom can be tricky to find. Perski took FOX 17 through the woods with her sights on the morels.

If you do find some, you’re in luck. The selling price for morels is higher than previous years.

“They are like a coveted delicacy. They sell for $65 or so per pound, if you find a whole lot of them and you have a buyer. They are very much a coveted like a little piece of gold. Kind of like hunting Easter eggs as an adult. It’s just fun,” said Perski.

There are imitation or knock-off morels out there. According to Perski, if the cap of the mushroom isn’t attached to the stem, it’s not legit. However, that’s not the only precaution mushroom hunters should take.

“Death would be your greatest danger, and so if you don’t know what you are picking or going after, I suggest you simply don’t go or don’t do it. You know, probably safe versus sorry,” said Perski.

Perski said that searching for morels is a family activity, with the kids having a better vantage point closer to the ground.

Perski added that the full morel hunting season will last until mid- June.

The Howard Christensen Nature Center is hosting a group Morel hunt with experts on hand to educate you about the mushroom on Sunday from 1pm to 4pm. You can find more information by clicking here.